"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway
"“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast.”
Ernest Hemingway left the world a generous legacy in these sketches of his early life in Paris in the Twenties. So complete is the spell of his art that the four decades between what was done and felt then and what is remembered and written later seem barely to have intervened. Everything is perceived directly through the eyes and ears of the young writer himself living in the pre-dawn of world recognition.
The reader walks with him along the Paris streets, watching fishermen along the Seine or dropping by that Sylvia Beach's to borrow a book; returns with him to the Hemingway's' small apartment on the rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs wit the sawmill in the courtyard below; sits by him in a cafe` while paragraph by paragraph, scarcely looking up, he constructs one of the stories that created a new voice for the literature of our time.
It was a time of hunger and discipline and also one of fulfilment and happiness. We share taut days at the race-track at Enghien and happy, strenuous weeks skiing in the Vorarlberg in Austria. These chapters glow with the joy of recollection.
There are many vivid portraits from memory: Gertrude Stein providing little glasses of liqueurs and impromptu lectures in her apartment on the rue de Fleurus; Ezra Pound learning to box; Ford Madox Ford discoursing on the mysteries of being a gentleman; and a number of others, all profoundly expressive. One of the more important is the portrayal of Scott Fitzgerald, and amusingly truthful one, softened by affection for the man and respect for his genius. The motor-trip he and Hemingway make from Lyon to Paris will surely take its places as one of the great comic journeys of literature.
One can only suggest the experiences awaiting the reader of this book in which a master of literature in full command of every technique of his art relives these bright chapters of his youth."
I am so happy to be able to say I have read a couple of his books and one from the view of his first wife. It really opens my eyes to him and his writing skill. I respect him as a writer; however I am not fond of the two I have read. Even with that being said... Everyone should be able to say they have read at least one of Hemingway's books.
'jus sayin'
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Book Review: "STAY"
"Stay" by Allie Larkin
"Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van's standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man Van's ever loved. Before, Van's mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy tale ending will ever come true.
After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. The pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy, hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, and Van is at the end of her rope... until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.
Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together, they work to mend the pieces of Van's shattered heart. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Joe's vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted, proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better."
I just loved this book. It was a good fast read and I could relate to the quirky character's view on things. She made me laugh out loud when reading and I was very persuaded to buy a dog just like hers.
"Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van's standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man Van's ever loved. Before, Van's mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy tale ending will ever come true.
After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. The pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy, hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, and Van is at the end of her rope... until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.
Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together, they work to mend the pieces of Van's shattered heart. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Joe's vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted, proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better."
I just loved this book. It was a good fast read and I could relate to the quirky character's view on things. She made me laugh out loud when reading and I was very persuaded to buy a dog just like hers.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Book Review: "Living on the Edge"
LIVING ON THE EDGE by Shannon K. Butcher
"After a devastating injury, Lucas Ramsay knows he's finished as a soldier. But when the general who saved his life asks him for a favor, he says yes. All Lucas has to do is keep the general's daughter from getting on a plane to Colombia, which is easier said than done...
Independent to the core, Sloane Gideon is a member of the Edge - a group of mercenaries. But she 's not on the clock for this mission. Her best friend is being held by a vicious drug lord, and Sloane must rescue her - no matter how many handsome ex-soldiers her father sends to dissuade her.
With little choice, Lucas tracks Sloane to Colombia, where she reluctantly allows him to aid her in her search. But as they draw closer to the target, they grow closer to each other. And before the battle is over, both will have to decide just what they are willing to fight for..."
Another romance novel. This has lots of gun powder booms in it. It was a light, fun read. I enjoyed it; however this is yet another book going from my hands to the library. :)
"After a devastating injury, Lucas Ramsay knows he's finished as a soldier. But when the general who saved his life asks him for a favor, he says yes. All Lucas has to do is keep the general's daughter from getting on a plane to Colombia, which is easier said than done...
Independent to the core, Sloane Gideon is a member of the Edge - a group of mercenaries. But she 's not on the clock for this mission. Her best friend is being held by a vicious drug lord, and Sloane must rescue her - no matter how many handsome ex-soldiers her father sends to dissuade her.
With little choice, Lucas tracks Sloane to Colombia, where she reluctantly allows him to aid her in her search. But as they draw closer to the target, they grow closer to each other. And before the battle is over, both will have to decide just what they are willing to fight for..."
Another romance novel. This has lots of gun powder booms in it. It was a light, fun read. I enjoyed it; however this is yet another book going from my hands to the library. :)
Friday, November 11, 2011
Book Review: "Breathless"
Breathless: The House of Rohan by Anne Stuart
"Lucien de Malheur seeks to destroy the Rohans. He traps Miranda into a marriage that is rooted in vengenance and not love ... or so he thinks. Ruined beyond repair and shunned by London society, lovely Miranda Rohan rebelliously embraces the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. However, this dangerous course throws her under the power of the darkly enigmatic Lucien de Malheur--known to many as the Scorpion.Seeking to destroy the Rohans, Lucien traps Miranda in a marriage she thinks is based on friendship but instead is rooted in vengeance. Yet even when she realizes the truth, their enmity fuels a shocking passion--and perhaps even more.Such a man might drive anyone to murder...."
I really liked this book; however I will not be allowing my daughter a copy of this book. *smiles*
"Lucien de Malheur seeks to destroy the Rohans. He traps Miranda into a marriage that is rooted in vengenance and not love ... or so he thinks. Ruined beyond repair and shunned by London society, lovely Miranda Rohan rebelliously embraces the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. However, this dangerous course throws her under the power of the darkly enigmatic Lucien de Malheur--known to many as the Scorpion.Seeking to destroy the Rohans, Lucien traps Miranda in a marriage she thinks is based on friendship but instead is rooted in vengeance. Yet even when she realizes the truth, their enmity fuels a shocking passion--and perhaps even more.Such a man might drive anyone to murder...."
I really liked this book; however I will not be allowing my daughter a copy of this book. *smiles*
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Book Review: The Sun Also Rises
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
"Paris in the twenties: Pernod, parties and expatriate Americans, loose-living on money from home. Jake is wildly in love with Brett Ashley, aristocratic and irresistibly beautiful, but with an abandoned, sensuous nature that she cannot change.When the couple drifts to Spain to the dazzle of the fiesta and the heady atmosphere of the bullfight, their affair is strained by new passions, new jealousies, and Jake must finally learn that he will never possess the woman he loves.Powerful, intense, visually magnificent, Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises is the novel which established Ernest Hemingway as a writer of genius."
I decided to read this book after I read THE PARIS WIFE. Well honestly I didn't read the book, I listen to it on CD. I enjoyed the parallel story. In the other book, this story was told and I found it interesting to see which character was equal to the 'real' person spoken of in THE PARIS WIFE. The book itself was not my 'cup of tea' and I would not have continued reading/listening to it, if it had not been on CD. LOL
"Paris in the twenties: Pernod, parties and expatriate Americans, loose-living on money from home. Jake is wildly in love with Brett Ashley, aristocratic and irresistibly beautiful, but with an abandoned, sensuous nature that she cannot change.When the couple drifts to Spain to the dazzle of the fiesta and the heady atmosphere of the bullfight, their affair is strained by new passions, new jealousies, and Jake must finally learn that he will never possess the woman he loves.Powerful, intense, visually magnificent, Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises is the novel which established Ernest Hemingway as a writer of genius."
I decided to read this book after I read THE PARIS WIFE. Well honestly I didn't read the book, I listen to it on CD. I enjoyed the parallel story. In the other book, this story was told and I found it interesting to see which character was equal to the 'real' person spoken of in THE PARIS WIFE. The book itself was not my 'cup of tea' and I would not have continued reading/listening to it, if it had not been on CD. LOL
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Book Review: Saving Max
Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten
"While being assessed at an Iowa psychiatric hospital, mentally troubled Max Parkman is found covered with blood at the scene of a horrific murder and is accused of being the killer. His mother, Danielle, is desperate to prove her son innocent. Original. Max Parkman--autistic and whip-smart, emotionally fragile and aggressive--is perfect in his mother's eyes. Until he's accused of murder.Attorney Danielle Parkman knows her teenage son Max's behavior has been getting worse--using drugs and lashing out. But she can't accept the diagnosis she receives at a top-notch adolescent psychiatric facility that her son is deeply disturbed. Dangerous.Until she finds Max, unconscious and bloodied, beside a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death.Trapped in a world of doubt and fear, barred from contacting Max, Danielle clings to the belief that her son is innocent. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son really a killer?With the justice system bearing down on them, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth, no matter what it is. She'll do whatever it takes to find the killer and to save her son from being destroyed by a system that's all too eager to convict him."
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Crazy stuff happens when you are reading a book about crazy people. LOL I loved it and the devotion the mother showed to her child, Max.
"While being assessed at an Iowa psychiatric hospital, mentally troubled Max Parkman is found covered with blood at the scene of a horrific murder and is accused of being the killer. His mother, Danielle, is desperate to prove her son innocent. Original. Max Parkman--autistic and whip-smart, emotionally fragile and aggressive--is perfect in his mother's eyes. Until he's accused of murder.Attorney Danielle Parkman knows her teenage son Max's behavior has been getting worse--using drugs and lashing out. But she can't accept the diagnosis she receives at a top-notch adolescent psychiatric facility that her son is deeply disturbed. Dangerous.Until she finds Max, unconscious and bloodied, beside a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death.Trapped in a world of doubt and fear, barred from contacting Max, Danielle clings to the belief that her son is innocent. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son really a killer?With the justice system bearing down on them, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth, no matter what it is. She'll do whatever it takes to find the killer and to save her son from being destroyed by a system that's all too eager to convict him."
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Crazy stuff happens when you are reading a book about crazy people. LOL I loved it and the devotion the mother showed to her child, Max.
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